Why a Music Lab?

March 29, 2016

By Angie Mack Reilly

Composers invent.

I am a composer.

I am an entrepreneur and a visionary.

I am a producer and director.

I believe that NOW is a prime time for innovation. People are losing faith in the systems that they have trusted in for decades. We are discovering each day that the food industry might not have our best interests in mind. We are realizing that the pharmaceutical industry profits when we are ill. We are seeing that the political industry is interested in being a circus of entertainment. We realize that the media has its own biases. We cannot even trust the news. Big profiting CEO’s make us skeptical about the usefulness of capitalism. We question whether our education system is maximizing its potential to shape young minds.

Dissatisfaction leads to the need for change.

Change comes through innovation.

As a long-time private music instructor, I have adapted my teaching style to be a Student-led and Montessori-style approach combined with “outside of the box” methods.

In short, I believe that we need to facilitate environments that encourage independent thought. We need learning environments that are exploratory and without time constraints. We need classrooms of exploration and experimentation. We need to encourage young minds to come up with their own hypothesis and to test that hypothesis. We need a learning environment that is multidisciplinary and stimulating as well as comfortable to work in.

When given the right opportunity, our youth are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I have witnessed, first-hand for about 18 years, that many children are far more advanced musically than we realize. I believe in tailoring my teaching style to each individual. People learn differently. People learn at different speeds.

I have a 6 year old student that I am teaching college level music theory to right now. Why? Because, believe it or not, that is where her knowledge base is at. A former student of mine recorded her own original album at age 14.

I have so many testimonies like this. This is because there is musical talent out there that isn’t receiving enough learning in a traditional music classroom. There is so much more potential for creative innovation in our youth than we realize.

Hence, the Ozaukee Talent Music Lab. A place for exploration, experimentation and innovation. A place for creation and composition.

I am currently looking for businesses willing to back this type of venture. I am looking for parents who have resonating thoughts about teaching our youth to be innovative. Finally, I am looking for creative minds with ideas looking for collaboration.

One Reply to “Why a Music Lab?”

I think it is wonderful that you have found a way to teach music the Montessori way! I have often wondered about how to do that as my daughters grow a little older, and I look forward to reading more about it.

I have nominated you for a Liebster Award. Check it out on my blog at MOMtessoriLife.com!